Vigil to remember those women lost

AMHERST - It's not only to remember those lost 20 years ago, but to hopefully prevent future violence toward women.

This Friday, Autumn House and New Directions, along with human resources students at NSCC, are hosting a vigil in support of the National Day of Remembrance.

"It's to remember the lives of the women who were killed in Montreal, but also to prevent it from happening again," said Ruby Hunter, a student on the organizing committee. "Women need to know that there is help out there for them."

From 12 to 1 p.m., the public is invited to attend the vigil at the First Baptist Church, which will see representatives from community organizations, agencies, groups and businesses place a rose on a tree and light a candle.

"The rose is a symbol that these groups are maintaining their commitment to end violence toward women," said New Directions' Ruth Currie.

The event will also include a PowerPoint presentation created by two of the students, as well as singing by Bridget Michels.

"I'm expecting there to be tears," said Hunter. "You don't realize that it's not just here in Cumberland County, that it's going on all over Canada."

Included with the ceremony is a brown bag lunch, which the committee is organizing.

"We're thankful and happy to be ale to link up with these students. Not only are they engaging in this event, they're also going to be able to act as instruments in change," Currie said, adding it was a learning experience for the organization as well as the students.

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While attending a conference at the U de Montreal campus last summer, I didnt realize the building I was walking by was the Ecole Polytechnique until I saw the sign. What an eerie and chilling feeling I experienced after realizing it was the site of the Montreal Massacre. My condolences to those women who died and their family.